Cable lashing machine



Dec. 22, 1953 Filed Dec. 27, 1951 J. J. HARLEY CABLE LASHING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTOR/VEV Dec. 22, 1953 J. J. HARLEY CABLE LASHING MACHINE Filed Deo. 27, 1951 1Q Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTOR J. J. HAQLEV ATTORNEVI Dec. 22, 1953 Filed Dec. 27, 1951 J. J. HARLEY CABLE LASHING MACHINE Sheets-Sheet 3 A Trb/mfr Dec. 22, 1953 J, J; HARLEY 2,663,544

CABLE LASH'ING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1951 A TTORNEV Dec, 22, 1953 J.'J. HARLEY 2,663,544 CABLE LASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1951 1o Smets-Sheet 5 #VVE/WOR J. J HA @LEV A TTOR/VE V J. J. HARLEY CABLE LASHING MACHINE Dec. 22, 1953 1Q sheets-sheet e Filed Dec. 27, 1951 TILL.. Q m mmf E@ QQ QS WV I @HS QQ Q MS R @Q QQ.. Q v@ NQ, R o oN wk v Q 1 IGN s Q NQ um QQ AIE mgl Dec. 22, 1953 J. J. HARLEY 2,663,544,

CABLE LASHING MACHINE Filed Deo. 27, 1951l 1o shee'g-sheet 7 /NL/E/voR J J HARLEY ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1953 J, J. HARLEY 2,6635544- CABLE LASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1951 1o sneetssheet 9 /N VEN TOR @g2/HARLEY J. J. HARLEY CABLE LASHING MACHINE Dec. 22, 1953 1'0 sheets-sheet 1o Filed Dec. 27, 1951 /Nl/ENTOR J J. HARLEY i.

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'y /f/Wf Afro/wry Patented Dec. 22, 1953 CABLE LASHING MACHINE Joseph J'. Harley, Summit, N. J., assigner to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated,

New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 27, 1951, Serial No. 263,675

(Cl. 25h-134.3)

14 Claims. l

This invention relates to the installation of aerial cable and more particularly to a machine for securing an aerial cable to a messenger or supporting strand. f.

One object of the present invention is to provide a machine for securing an aerial cable to a supporting strand in such a manner that the tension on the towing line secured to the front end of the machine forces the supporting strand into intimate engagement with the driving'wheels in the forward part of the machine housing.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cable lashing machine which maintains the supporting strand and the cable in close relation and at the same time serving a lashing wire therearound to secure the cable and supporting strand together.

A further object ci the invention is the provision, in a cable lashing machine, of means for preventing the backward movement of the machine when forward tension on the machine isv released.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a positive action driving mechanism for operating the rotating drum which carries the coils of lashing wire.

The machine of my invention is an improvement over the cable lashing machines shown in Patents 2,231,962, 2,272,253 and 2,544,313.

In the preferred form of my cable lashing machine, I provide a chassis having spaced apart stationary ront and rear portions and a rotatable cylinder or drum positioned therebetween and rotatable on the chassis. The forward part of the machine, that is, the stationary part, houses the driving mechanism for the drum and supports the front end of the machine. The rear end of the machine is provi-ded with means for supporting the rear end and provides means for holding the cable to be secured to the supporting in juxtaposition as it is lashed to the supporting strand. rihe rotating drum is provided with suitable compartments which are diametrically opposed and carry preformed coils of lashing wire. The wire from either reel is l out and wrapped around the supporting strand and cable as the machine advances along the supporting strand and secures the strand and cable togetherin sucha manner thatthere is little or no movement therebetween after the installation is, completed. 'Y v Y Means are located in the forward part of the machine associated with the driving means for preventing the lashing wire from slacking on. due to the lashing machine moving backward when forward ,tension on'the machine isreleased,

Means have also been provided in the forward part `of, the. machine and associated with the driving mechanism wherein the tension on the towing line controls the pressure of the driving wheelson the supporting strand by means associated therewith which forces the strand up into intimate contactwijth the driving wheels.

In the machine of my invention I have incorporated at the rear end thereof van improved means for supporting and positioning the cable and supporting strand just prior to the lashing wire being applied therearound. y

y The invention and the several features thereof will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the acoompanying drawings in which: Y y

Fig. l is a perspective view of the cable lashing machine of my invention in position on a fragment of strand with a cable in the process of being lashed thereto; 2 is a side yelevation of the lashingmachine shown in Fig. 1 with parts of the forward housing broken away to clearly show the mechanism for driving the rotatable drum;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the top plate of the forward housing removed and a portion of the gear housing for the driving mechanism broken away;

Fig. 4 is a rear end view of the machine shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 with the rotating drum in its locked position;

Fig. 5` is a front end view of the machine show in Figs. l, 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal view in section taken on line --Sofliig 3;

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4i-i of sie. s;

Fig. 8 is across sectional t-il of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View partly in section of the securing means for the coveron the forward housing ofthe machine;

Fig. 10 .is a 'fragmentary View partly in section taken on line lll-lc of Fig. 5 and shows the front cable guide roller in its locked position;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 10 with the front cable guide in its opened position;

Fig..12 is a fragmentary view taken on line tif-l2 of Fig. Ll and shows the rear cable guide View taken on line `roller in its locked position;

eig. i3 is aview similar to tig. 12 with' the 'rear cable guide in its open position;

itsropen position, as shown in Fig; 11'; Y Y a Fig. l5 is a fragmentary View partly in cross section of the forward end of the machine illustrating in detail the mechanism for forcing the supporting strand into contact with the driving wheels taken on line iii-l5 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary View partly in section of the forward part of the machine illustrating the driving mechanism and showing in dot and dash lines the position assumed by the gate which operates the strand tension mechanism when it is in its inoperated or open position;

Fig. 1'7 is a cross sectional View of the machine of this invention taken on line l-i of 6;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary View partly in cross section similar to Fig. 1'? but with the rotatable drum rotated approximately 120 from its normal position;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary View, in cross section, taken on line i9-i8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary view partly in cross section taken on line J-4e of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 21 is a bottom View partly in section of the roller` mechanism which bears against the underside of the supporting strand, and shows in dot and dash lines the position assumed by the roller mechanism when it is shown out of position to permit the cable lashing machine to be placed on the strand.

As shown in the drawings, the cable lashing machine of this invention comprises a chassis or frame I il having a longitudinally extending passage il therethrough. The front end i2 of the chassis it has mounted thereon an extended frame portion i3, on which there is mounted the driving mechanism for a rotatable drum 11i which is mounted on the chassis IG toward the rear of the frame i3. The drum is, is adapted to be rotated when the machine is t wed along the strand i5 by means oi the hand line l which is secured to the cable guide plate Il by the attachment i8. Y

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6, the front end housing I2 has mounted thereon an extending frame portion i3 which with the chassis lil forms the stationary part of the machine and contains the driving mechanism for the drum i4.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 3, 15 and 16, the driving mechanism comprises a pair of V groove driving pulleys l and 2li, preferably made from a tough resilient material such as tire tread rubber. The pulleys is and 2i? are mounted axially on the shafts 2i and 22 which are journalled in suitable bearings 23, .25, 25. and 2S in the wall sections 21 and 28 of the housing. As shown, the wall sections 2 and 28 are spaced apart to form aeentral compartment 29 for the pulleys i9 and 2% and to provide on each side thereof the compartments 30 and 3l.

Located in compartment 33 and mounted on the end of the pulley shaft 22, is the gear 32 which is in constant mesh with the idler gear 33 mounted on the shaft Si which is journalled in the bearing in the wall section 2l and the web member 35. Also in constant mesh with the idler gear 3S is the gear 3l which is mounted on the end of the pulley shaft 2i which has mounted on each end thereof the bevelled gears 3S and 38 which are in constant mesh with the bevel pinions lil and il! which are mounted on the shafts i2 and L33. The bevel pinion 46, which is mounted on the shaft 2, is located in compartment one end of the shaft being journalled in the bearing 44 in the web 36 and the other end journalled in the bearing l5 in the frame il). In a similar manner the bevel pinion 4 El is mounted on the shaft i3 in the compartment 3|, one end of which is journalled in the bearing Lit of the web ill' and the other journalled in the bearing 48 of the frame lil.

Located on each end of the shafts l2 and t3, which extend into the housing i2, are the pinion gears 49 and E3; these gears are in mesh with the segmental ring gear 5I which is secured to the drum IQ by bolts 52 and is provided with a radial slot 53 which is of substantially the same Width as the passageway H in the drum meinber lil and the opening 5d in the chassis It and housing i2, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18. These openings are provided to permit the machine of this invention to be placed astride the strand i5 and the cable CA as shown in the various figures.

As shown in Figs. 3, 6, 17 and 18 and in more detail in Figs. 17 and 18, there is secured on the front face 55 of the drum i4, adjacent the outer periphery thereof, by bolts 55, a segmental ange or track member l. This, like the ring gear 5l and the face 55, has a. portion cut away to provide an opening therein which is in alignment with the opening all of the drum 513 and the passageway l l in the chassis I0.

Mounted in the housing l2, in circumferential relation with respect to the ring gear 5i, and rotatably supported on the walls thereof by suitable axles 58 are the guide rollers 59. These guide rollers are in engagement with the track member and serve as the front end bearing for the drum ill.

The rear end of the drum it, as shown in Figs. 6 and 2Q, is rotatably supported in the rear end housing et' of the chassis of frame lil, by suitable rollers axially mounted on the wall of the housing. As shown in Fig. 2S, two sets of rollers are provided; one set 5i is mounted in axial relation with respect to the drum iii on suitable supports 62 and in contact with the segmental track 53. Another set of rollers 54 is mounted radially on the supports with the' axes at right angles with respect to the axes of rollers 52 and serve as an end or thrust .bearing for the drum I by engagement with the outer end thereof. Thus, we have the drum it rotatably mounted on the rollers iii and the rear end housing Se and on the rollers 59 in the iront end housing i2 and rotatably driven by the power transmitted by the friction-al engagement of the V pulleys le and 2Q with the strand l5, thus driving the gears 32 and 3l and the idler gear 33, which in turn transmits pcf-.ver to the bevelled gears 38 and 39 which drive lthe p-inions f il and Il! and through the shafts l2 and e3, drive the pinions @il and 5d which are in engagement with the ring gear 5l mounted on the drum l Il.

The pinion gears i9 and 53 are so located with 'respect to the slot 53 in the ring gear 5| that the power transmitted to the drum if! through the ring gear and its associated gears, is constant, as long as the V pulleys it and 2i? are in engagement with the strand and the machine is being towed therealong, since at no time is the ring gear 5I out of engagement with one or the other of the vpinion gears i9 and 59.

-As shown in Figs. l, 2, 5, 8, 15 and 16 and more in detail in Figs. 8, l5 and i6, means are provided for forcing the strand l5 up into intimate engagement with the V pulleys i9 and 2D. The lmeans as shown comprises a vertical shaft E6 rotatably mounted in the guide bracket 67, which is secured in a recess in the wall 28 of the casting, which forms the 'compartment 29, as shown in Fig. '21, by the screws 68. The lower end of the ,shaft 5t," as Showni'tbevfiisfflgiiresfy; nel. particularly infligs'and l15p-is provided with an arm V59 vwhich''extends at rightanglesfwith respect to the shaft Stand has rotatably Imounted thereon 'a roller,member lil which is adapted to engage the strand E5; as shown` Iinthe various figures and .with particular reference .to Figs.l y6 and V15, and force the stiand'lll' up into intimate engagement with'thestrand whenthe shaft'it and its associatedv parts are moved upwardly. In itsnormalposition, as shownin thedotted lines inFlg. 2, the roller 79 of the arm 63 bears' against `but doesjnot exert pressure against lthe strand. LSince it is Vd'esirable that .thejrstrand'fl 5 bei forced upwardly [into Yintiniate engagement withthelpulleys 'I3 and Zton/lywhen :the mae ,chine :is in ,operationnieans have been proyided Acontrolled .'by the v`lforiifarti' tensionon"'the' tow line i6 which applies pressure on the roller Vlll and the consequent forcing upwardly of the strandw I5 linto intimate engagement withrthe pulleys I9 and 2li to provide the necessary tractionY to drive the mechanism which wraps the wire WR around the strand l5 and the cable CA, as shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in the various gures, the means for forcing the roller l@ upwardly into intimate ensagement with the pulleys i9 and 2c, comp-rises a-.braoket member .l which is secured to'the outer face ofthe guide plate i? by means of suit-- able rivets i2. The member i extends upwardly and has its extended portion in engagement with the shoulder 'i3 on the'member it which is pivotally supported on the frame it by means of the bracketvlE and the pin '55. A

. The free end il ofv the member 'M has a tapered conguration andfis bent Vat substantially right angles .to provide, the extending arm i8 which is adapted to 4engage the underside of theroller supporting arm V(iii when the member 5M is forced upwardly Vby the bracket ltwhen a force,,in the direction indicated bythe arrow in lFig` 18,k is applied to the guide plate il by the tow line i6 and its associated attachment i8.

In order to maintain Ythe roller l'iin engagement with the strand l and in such a manner that the :torce applied is knot sufficient to cause the strand l5 to be intimately engaged with the pulleys lil and 2l), a coil spring loris positioned between the. frame iii -and aprotuberanceonthe member lt. This spring, sinceY ,itv is .conned between the frame l@ and the member ld, forces the-member ill outwardly which,in turn; causes the extending arm portion lll to engage the roller supporting arm SS and maintain it in juxtaposition. Y l Y 'When the Ylashing machine is Ato be. placed on or removed from the supporting strand i5, the

armt9 .and its associated 4roller lll, as shown by n,

lthe fullrlinesin Fig. 2l is rotated approximately 90 degrees, shown bythe dot and dash, lines in- Fig... 21, by the knob lll which is secured to the upper or extending end of the shaft t5. In

vorder to rotate theshaft t. and itsvassociated aperture is iso positioned on the drum 'and itvsfa's'sociatedioller areswungout of positionto permitwthe strand rto lie-placed in or'removed frein the machine, y ther` knob '8e which is secured to the `shaftjtjis depressed-as shown inthe dot 'and' dash lines in Figi-'15 and is rotated'lin a clockwise direction approximately 90 degrees, thus causing'ltheishat d5' to Ytrai/el v'downwardly anddisengagethearm lil from the boss di and move theyrollerf'lQ-away fromrthe strand i5, as shown indotdand ,lash lines in Fig. 21.

',Hingedlymountedron the front iace of the housing #Zon the bracket is the yoke member 35 4which haslocated ,on its lower end, and pro-v ,jecting at right angles therefrom, the pin 85, the `i'urijction of which' will hereinafter be described Q Securedin'the yoke member 85 and extending iatmright"ang1eswitli'-respect thereto and spaced radially"approximately 90 degrees withrespec't .tothe pinr, istheshalft d?. The Shaftlhas pvotally mounted thereon .the downwardly der pending .guide Nplate il Which'A is .biiuroated at itslupperendto provide. the ,two -returnbend @Oliftions Band 29. which form bearings for the shaft. Located between thebearings 8S and 8i and rotatably mounted on the shaft di' is the roller 'til which serves as a support for the cable CA, in the'event that the cable sags during installationL The hinged shaft 81 with its roller Se and associated, guide yplate ISI, may be readily swung out of its lockedposition across the passageway H, as shownfinFig. 10, and into position as shown-in Fig. 11, to permit the machine to be placed over the' cable CA and the strand l5, by operating the latohdLagainst the Vtension of the spring Q2 to cause the pin 93 mounted thereon to-.becomedisen'ga'ged frmfthe catch iid and per'- mitfthefassembly!to swing outwardly under the influence of the coilspring` 55. located on the topY portion ofthe hinge pin .96, as shown.

.As the rollerand guide plate assembly is swung open', as shownA in"Fig.l 11, the pin Sll which is vslidalllyfrflounte'd on the bearing 38, will under .theinfluence `oflfan internal spring SP, move inwardly andinto engagement with the aperturef99 on' therface 55 of the drum lll. The ritli respect 'to' the pinv 3l, that when the pin is positioned in theaperture the passageway Il will be',y in alignmentwth thefopening ed as shown in'l'igjld;-`V

Whenvthe guide roller and guide plate assembly' isin its operative or yclosed position, Aas

Vshfjwnin' Figsjl, 2,' 3, 5, 8, 15 and 16, and more .in detailin Fig. 10, theV pin 97 will be held out of engagement with the. aperture 39 in the face 55 of'the'drum Mby'means of the arm lili) lsecured'to the top of the yoke S5, and will therefore permit thedruin 14 to be readily rotated.

`I -I'ofweverjwhen "theroller, and guide plate assembly -isswun'gfoutwardly' asY shown .in Fia. 11,

the pinzxsi'under themfiuenee of the' internal springv will Vb'ear'against the face of the drum 55 and willenter the, aperture 99 when the passagewaylii l and the opening 5d are in alignment,

thereby preventing the drum from rotating when Ythe 'rnachinis being positioned on or being removed fro'm the strand and cable.

. AsshOWn infigaA 2, 5 and 8, and more in detailV in'jlig. 4 16,` there is pivctally mounted on the 'outer side of the bracket 811, by means of the' screw .lill,.and,lever arm H32, the upper end lllsof the arm 02 is bent substantially at right angles'andis in' engagement withA the underaccessi 7: side of the onset arm |04 which extends up.- wardly.V and is pivotallysupported byv the screw |05, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The upper end |05 ofthe arm Hlfis in engagement with, a pin |01-y on the arm |08 which is also pivoted on thgscrew |05.V

The upper or free end of the. arm |08 is provided with an aperture through which one end of the coil. spring |09 passes, the other end being secured to the pin H located on the frame casting of. the machine, thus biasing the arm |03.in the direction of the arm |04, and holding thepin |01l on the arm |08, in engagement with the end. of the offset arm |09.

Located on. thearm |08, as shown inFig..15:, is an extending tooth member which is adapted to engage the teeth |12 on` thev ratchet wheelV |13, whichis secured to the. shaft 2| thus providing a ratchetv device for the driving mechanism.

In its, normal or operative position. as shown in the various figures, the tooth on the arm |08, will be in engagement with the teeth ||2 on thewheel. |13, and due to the spring |09 will be held in contact therewith and prevent counterclockwise movement of the drive pulleys I9 and 20 and the subsequent riding backward on the strand of the lashing machine, with. the consequent releasing of the back tension on. the lashing wire, WR.V

Whenthe roller. and guide. plate assembly is opened,asshown injjig. 1l, 1c repar.atoryv to placing, the.. machine on or removing it from the strand and cable, the,l pin 86.0n the yoke 85 will engage the.Y bottom portion of the. arm |02 and Will f.0rce,it inwardly a slight distance andsince the. opposite end. of,` the arm |02 isin engagement. with thev lower end portion of the offset a1m |04. it will cause this arm to pivot on the screw |05, bear againstv the pin |'|.0 and move the armV |95 inwardly, thus, disengaging the tooth f,romv the.. teeth |,|.2 on.the ratchet wheel ||3, therebyv permitting thedriving pulleys or wheels `I l' and. 20 to rotate either in a clockwise .or

counter-clockwise direction. This structure pro,- vides a positive automatic means for preventing the machinel fromslidingbackward on the strand with the consequent loosening of the lashing wire, when forward tension on the tow line isreleased,

but permits the driving mechanism to rotate freely when the roller and guide plateassembly is opened during placement or removal of the machine on the strand.

A Sshowmin, Eigs, 6,A '7,y 17 and 18 and; more particularly, in Fig. 20,l aA guide pulley. |14, in alignmentA with the V-pulleys I9. and 2|), is locatedonthe interiory of the rear housingr 60 for supporting theV machine on the strand |5'..

Located on` the, rear end housing |50` of the chassis I0.,- which contains the rollers, f or supporting. the rear endofl the drumL |,4, is, means for forcing the-cable CA upwardlyv into engagement with the strand l5 and maintains, it in juxtapositionwhile thelashing wire WRisbeing. served therearoundasshown in Fig. 1. As shown particularly in, Fig. 4, cable positioning guidesare mounted on the face; |15. of, the rear housing: 69. and are adjustableto accommodate various sizes of cable. Secured to the.face.||5 of thevr rear housing 60, above the passageway screwsA |.B and. H1, are the bracketmembers H5 and ||9. These, brackets are spaced apart and areprovidedwith extending ear portions and |2|7 which have journalled therein the ends ofr aI horizontally extending.r threaded. shaft., |22

5 which hasv secured.. atv its mid-portion a knurled knob |23.. The shaft |22v is. freelyy rotatable. in theears. |20 andv |2| and. is provided on oneside of the knob, at |24, with a left-hand thread, and on the other side, at. |25, with a right-hand thread. Mounted. on the shaft |22 and in threaded engagement therewith and positioned on each side of the knob |23 are the internally threaded downwardly depending L-shaped members |25. and |21. Pivotally secured to the membersI |26 and |21 by the studs |28 and |29 and the.- cotter pins |.3llv and |3I, are the L-shaped membersflz and. |33. The members |26 and |21aresecured inoperative relation to the membersl |32. and |33, by flat spring members |34 and |35, which are. located in` aligned slots in the members,v therebyV providing a pair of hinged members which` are maintained, in juxtaposition but. are. free to flex. either to the right or left.

Rotatably mountedi on the shafts |35 and |51 which are securedin and downwardly depending from the members |32 and |33, are the vertical rollers |38 and- |39. Secured to the ends of the shafts. |35 and |31-, are the members |50 and i4! which have projecting therefrom the guide arms |52 and. H537 whichV serve to hold the shafts |35 and |31 and their associated rollers |38 and |39 in position.

It will'l thus be observed. that upon rotation of the knob |23', either clockwise or counter-clockwise, the shaft |22 will be caused to rotate and since the members |25. and |21 and their associated members |32 and |33 with the rollers mounted thereon are operatively connected to the members |26 and |21, the rollers |38 and |39 will travel either toward or away from each other, thereby reducing or enlarging the space between the rollers |38 and |39, and since the connection between. the two sets of Lshaped members is exible,y to a degree, the rollers will conform to any irregularities of the cable sheath. while still confining. the cable therebetween and preventing undue sideward movement.

Associated with the rear cable guiding means heretofore described, and positioned adiacent to it, is a means for lifting. the cable CA into close proximity with the strand l5 just prior to the application of the lashing wire WR. The cable lifting means as shown in the various gures and with particular reference to Figs. 4, 612 and 13, is mounted on the face ii 5 of the rear housing 00 by means ofsuitable brackets |413 and |55, which are secured on each side of the passageway I| below the brackets I i8 and 9, which support the guide rollers |30 and |39by means of vscrews |55 andy |41'.

The brackets |44 and |45, as shown, are provided with spaced apart outwardly extending ears or lugs MiB-44S, and it-|09, in which the ends, of the vertically extending threaded shafts |50.and |5| are mounted.. The threaded shaft |5| is journalled in the ears Mil-|99, and is adaptedltobe rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise by means of the knurled knob |52 located on the upper end of the shaft |5|, and the shaft |50, which is flat onits rear side, is xedly secured in the ears Mii- |48 by pins (not shown). Hingedly. positioned on the shaft |5|, between the earsv |49j-|49, and in` threaded engagement vwith the shaft is the internally threaded boss member |53, whichVA is provided withl a downwardly` extending ear portion |54 in which there isI secured the outboard shaft |55, which extends across the passageway and has mounted thereon a. roller |55. As shown, the free end of the shaft 55 has secured thereto by means of the pin |57, a bifurcated sleeve member |58 having spaced apart extending arm portions i 59 and |60. The member |58 has pivotally mounted in its bifurcated end portion, between the arms |58 and |59, by means of the spring |6i, a spring biased latch or dogt |52, the end portion of which is notched at its and is arranged to engage the iiattened rear side of the shaft |50 as shown in Fig. 12 and lock the roller assembly closed. with the internally threaded portion of the bifurcated end of the sleeve |58 in engagement with the threads on the shaft |59.

When it is desired to either raise or lower the roller |56, to accommodate cables'of different sizes the latch member |62 is depressed, which causes the notched end |63 to become disengaged from the flattened rear portion of the shaft |56 thereby permitting the assembly to rotate on.' the shaft and swing open, as shown in Fig. 13. After the assembly has assumed the position as shown in Fig. 13, it may be raisedor lowered by the manipulation of the knob 52, thus when the assembly has been adjusted it may be returned to its normal or operative position and locked in place by the latch mechanism as heretofore explained. A

The drum ifi, as shown in various iigures, and with particular reference to Fig. 7, is provided with diametrically opposed compartments |64 and |65 in which there is conined by means of the gates It and |67 the coils of lashing wire |68 and |63. The gates |56 and |67 are hingeably mounted on the ears il! and 72 by suitable pins |73 and llt on each side of the passageway mounted across the top compartment CP is the cross member i7@ which provides a suitable handie for Uripping the machine to place it in position on the strand it. Locking means comprising the spring biased hinged bolts |75 and |76 and threaded wing nuts |77 and |73 securely hold the gates |56 and |67 in their closed position and conne the coils of lashing wire |63 and |59 between the protuberances |79 and me on the gates and the inner walls of the compartments |66 and |65. Journalled in the gates |556 and i557 are guide rollers |87 and |32. These rollers are located in suitable slots and are positioned over the protuberances |73 and |89 each of which are provided with circularly disposed apertures |83 and |84.

1n order to facilitate the feeding of the lashing wire WR from the coils |68 and |69 and to reduce the friction as much as possible, the axes of the rollers i8! and H32 are disposed at an angle and are in alignment with suitable guide rollers |85 and it which are rotatably mounted in the rear of the drum adjacent the end thereof. As shown the lashing wire WR, after leaving the coil |50, passes through the aperture |34, over the roller i8! one turn around the roller |85 over the roller |36 and thence around the strand I5 and the cable CA, as shown in Fig. ll.

A suitable cover |37 is provided on the forward end of the machine, over the driving mechanism and is held in position by means of suitable bolts 98, as shown in Fig. 9. y

In the application of the lashing machine of this invention to the practice of securing aerial cable to a supporting strand by means of a wire lashed therearound, in place of the usual cable rings, the following sequence of operation is V in their respective compartments |4 and |55.

l@ One coil, that is, the reserve coil |69 is left ine tact after it has been placed in position but the wire in the coil |53 is threaded through the aperture |83 over the pulleys or rollers |8l, |65, and |86, and is pulled outwardly a sufficient amount to provide an adequate length of wire for securing it to the cable CA and the strand it, prior to the operation ofthe lashing machine. liter the coils of lashing wire |67 and it have been positioned in the compartments and |55 in the drum id, as heretofore described, the strand tensioning roller 7G, mounted on the bracket 7| swung open from its normal or operating position across the passageway il. rl'he next step is to swing the rear cable supporting roller gigiitwout of its position across the passageway ii and adjust the vertical rollers |33 and its to the proper sizeof cable. The machine is then placed over the strand and cable with the strand I5 positioned in the grooves of the gpulleyrssldand limand in the groove ofthe rear pulley or roller li.

The strand tensioning roller 75l is then swung back into position yacross the passageway il and intoV Contact withvqthe strand i5 .where it will later operate to force the strand up into intimate contact with the drive-pulleys it and 2t inthe manner as heretooredescribed and as shown in Figs. 8 and l5. The strand rtensioning* roller 7d is swung back to its normal position, as .above described, by means of the rotation of the knob l, which is secured to the operating shaft 5t. Howeven-'since no tension has been applied to the guide plate i3 Vby means of the tow rope i@ through theattachment lathe lashing mecha'- nism.. as heretofore described, to prevent backward motion vof the lashing machine on the cable, willbe inoperative and will permit the ready placement of the machine on the cable. The next stepis to secure the free end of the lashing wire WR to the strand l5 after which the lashing of the cable CA to the strand iii may proceed by towing'the lashing machine along the strandrby means of the tow rope le as heretofore referred to and as shown in Fig. l.

While there has been shown herein and de scribed a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various modications and changes may be made therein without departing from thescope vand spirit of the invention. Y

What is claimed is: l. A machine for securing a cable to a supporting-strand which comprises a chassis having front and-rear spaced apart housings, a guide plate hingedly secured to said chassis for attaching a tow line thereto, a drum rotatably sup= ported between said housings, said drum and said housings .having aligned central bores for the reception of the cable and the supporting strand, said housings and said drum having openings therein communicating with said bores to'permit the machine to be placed in operative position on the supporting strand, a coil` of lashing wire carried by said drum, driving wheels each mountedV on an axis, in the iront housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for engaging the same side of the supporting strand, an arm pivotaily mounted on the chassis, means operatively associated with said arm andA said guide plate for forcing said arm upwardly Aagainst said strand to cause intimate contact between said strand and said driving wheelsv when forward tension is applied tosaid guide plate, means in front housing. operatively ,connected to engaging the same side of Y il said drum 'and vto said driving wheels for causing the rotation of said drum as said driving wheels are operated by the forward motion of the machine to cause the lashing wire carried vby said drum to be wrapped around the strand and cable, means for preventing rearward movement of the machine when forward tension is released comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected to one of said driving wheels and a dog member normally held in engagement with the teeth on said ratchet wheel, and means on said chassis operatively connected to said lguide `plate for disengaging said dog from said ratchet ywheel when Ysaid guide plate -is moved from its normal operating position.

2. A machine vfor securing a cable to a supporting strand which comprises a chassis having front and rear spaced apart housings, a guide plate 'having a roller thereon hingedly secured to Asaid chassis for attaching a tow line thereto, a drum rotatably supported between said -housings, said drum and said housings having aligned central Vbores Vfor the reception -of the cable and the supporting strand, -said housings and said drums having openings therein communicating with said bores to permit the machine to be placed in operative position on the ysupporting strand, a pair of preformed coils of -lashing wire carried by said drum on opposite sides thereof, a pair of driving wheelseach mounted on an axis in the front housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for -engaging the same side of the supporting strand, an arm having `a roller mounted thereon, Vpivotally 1mounted. on the opposite side thereof between .said wheels, means operatively lassociated withsaid arm, roller, and guide plate, for forcing said yarm and roller upwardly against said strand to .cause intimate contact ybetween said strand and said driving wheels when forward tension is applied to Asaid guide plate, means in said front housing operatively connected to said drum for causing ,the rotation thereof as the driving wheels vare operated by the forward movement of the machine to cause the lashing wire carried by said to be wrapped around the strand and cable, means for preventing rearward movement of the machine when forward tension is released ycomprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected -to one of said driving wheels, andav dog member normally held in engagement with the teeth on said ratchet wheel, and means on said chassis operatively connected to said guide plate for disengaging said dog from said ratchet wheel when said guide plate is moved from its normal operating position.

3. A machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand which comprises a chassis having yfront and rear spaced apart housings, a guide plate hingedly secured to said chassis for at. l

taching a tow line thereto, a drum rotatably supported between said housings, said drum and said housings having aligned central bores for the reception of the cable and the supporting strand, said housings and Said drum having openings therein communicating with said bores to permit the machine to be placed in operative position on the supporting strand, a pair of preformed coils of lashing wire carried by said drum on opposite sides thereof, a pair of driving wheels each mounted on an axis, in the front housing -one ahead kof the other and in space relation for the supporting strand, an arm pivotally mounted on the opposite side Lthereon-between said wheels, means operatively l associatedr with said arm and said guide plate for 12 forcing said arm upwardly against said strand to `4 cause intimate 'contact between said strand and said driving wheels when forward 'tension is applied to said guide plate, 'means in said front housing operatively connected to r`said drum and to said driving wheels to cause the rotation of said drum as said driving wheels are operated `by the forward motion of the machine to cause the lashing wire carried by vsaid drum to be wrapped around the strand and cable, means for preventing rearward movement of the machine when forward tension vis released comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected to oneof said driving wheels, a lever arm pivotally mounted adjacent said ratchet wheel and v having a yprojecting tooth thereon, means for holding said tooth in engagement with said ratchet wheel, aseoond 'lever arm operatively connected to said first arm and yto said guide plate for disengaging said tooth from said ratchet wheel when saidguide plate is moved from its normal operating position.

4,. A ,machine for .securing a cable to a sunporting strand which comprises achassis having front and roar spaced ,apart housings, a guide plato .having a roller .thereon 'hingedly secured to Said chassis for attaching a tow line thereto, a drum .rotatably supported between said 'housings, said drum and said housings having aligned central bores for the reception of the Cable and the supporting strand, said housings and said drums vhaving openings therein communicating .with `said .bores to permit the machine Yto be placed l.operative position .on the Supporting stand, .a pair of preformed ooilsof lashing wire carried ,bysaiddrumon oppositesides thereof, a pair of driving wheels each mounted .on an axis in ,the front Ahousing .Qlle ,ahead of the .other and in spass relation fol` rengaging ,the Sarno sido `of the supporting strand, 1an varm having a .roller 4moan-ted thereon, Ypivotally -mounted on the opp osite side thereof between said wheels, [means operatively associated with said Yarm, roller, and guide plate, `for `forcing said arm and .roller up,- wardiy against said strand to canso .intimato contact .between said strand and said .driving wheels when forward tension is 'applied to said guido plato, moans in said rfront housing konor- .ativelv loonnootool to said-.dnlm'to .causo the rotation thereof as the driving wheels are operated by the forward movement of the machine to .canso the lashing wire carried .by vsaisi drum to be wrapnod around tho strand .and .,oablo, means vfor preventing rearward movement of tho .Inaohine when forward tension is released comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected -to one of said driving wheels', a j lever arm, pivotally anonntod adjacent said rotohot Wheel, and having a nroiooting tooth thslooa moans for holding `said.t.1o.t1.1ir,1 engagement With said ratchet wheel, .a second lever arm .operatively connectedto said ,firstarm ,and to said guide plate for disengaging said tooth from said ratchet wheel when said guido plato is Inovod ,trom its vnormal operating positione5.V A machine for lsecuring a Vcable .to a supporting strand which comprises a chassis having .front and roar .snaood anart housings, a snide plato hingedly secured @to said `onasss for vattaching a tow line thereto, a drum rotatably sonnoittoo- Jootwoon .said housings, Ysaisi drum and said housings having aligned .Central .bores .for the reception of the cable and the supporting strand, said housings and said vdrinn nai/ing openings therein yc.onlnlnnioating with said bores to permit the machine to be placedin operative position on the supporting strand, a, pair of preformed coils of lashing wire carried by said drum on opposite sides thereof, a pair of driving wheels each mounted on an axis, in the front housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for engaging the same side of the supporting strand, an arm pivotally mounted on the opposite side thereof, between said wheels, means operatively associated with said arm and said guide plate for forcing said arm upwardly against said strand to cause intimate contact between said strand and said driving wheels when forward tension is applied to said guide plate, means in said front housing operatively connected to said drum and to said driving wheels to cause the rotation of said drum said driving wheels are operated by the forward motion of the machine to cause the lashing wire carried by said drum to be wrapped around the strand and cable, means for preventing rearward movement of the machine when forward tension is released comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected to one of said driving wheels, a lever arm pivotally mounted adjacent said ratchet wheel and having a projecting tooth thereon, means for holding said tooth in engagement with said ratchet wheel, a second lever arm operatively connected to said first arm and to said guide plate for disengaging said tooth from ratchet wheel when said guide plate is moved from its normal operating position, an adjustable cable guide vcomprismg a par of vertically disposed rollers and a horiroller mounted in operative relation on c face of said rear housing, said vertical rollers ngly mounted and adjustable simultanel. cooperating with said adjustable horizontal roller to vary the opening therebetween.

6. A machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand which comprises a chassis having front and rear spaced apart housings, a guide plate having a roller thereon hingedly secured to said chassis for attaching a tow line thereto, a drum rotatably supported between said housings, said drum and said housings having aligned central bores for the reception of the cable and the supporting strand, said housings and said drums having openings therein communicating with said bores to permit the machine to be placed in operative lposition on the supporting strand, a pair of preformed coils of lashing wire carried by said drum on opposite sides thereof, a pair of driving wheels each mounted on an axis in the front housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for engaging the same side of the supporting strand, an arm having a roller mounted thereon, pivotally mounted on the opposite side thereof between said wheels, means operatively associated with said arm, roller, and guide plate, for forcing said arm and roller upwardly against said strand to cause intimate contact between said strand and said driving wheels when forward tension is applied to said guide plate, means in said front housing operatively connected to said drum to cause the rotation thereof as the driving wheels are operated by the forward movement of the machine to cause the lashing Wire carried by said drum to be wrapped around the strand and cable, means for preventing rearward movement of the machine when forward tension is released comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected to one of said driving wheels, a lever arm, pivotally mounted adjacent said ratchet wheel, and having a projecting tooth thereon, means for holding said tooth Vin engagement :with said ratchet wheel, a second lever arm operatively connected to said rst arm and'to saidguide plate for disengaging said tooth from said ratchet wheel when said guide plate is moved from its normal operating position, and an adjustable cable guide comprising a pair of vertically disposed rollers and a horizontal roller mounted in operative relation on the face of said rear housing, said vertical rollers yieldingly mounted and adjustable simultaneously and cooperating with said adjustable horizontal roller to vary the opening therebetween. Y

7. Amachine for securing a cable to a supportingfstr'and which comprises a chassis having front and rear spaced apart housings, a guide plate hingedlysecured to said chassis for attaching a tov-ldinelthereto, a drum rotatably supported between said housings, said drum, and said housings having aligned central bores for the reception of the cable and the supporting strand, saidl housings and said 'drum'fhaving openings therein communicating with Vsaid bores to permit the machine to beplaced in' operative position on the supporting strand, a pair of coils of lashing wire carried by said drum, on opposite sides thereof, a pair of drive vwheels each mounted on an axis, in the front housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for engaging the same side of the supporting strand and an arm pivotally mounted on the opposite side thereof, between said wheels, means operatively associated with said arm and saidk guide plate for forcing said arm upwardly against said strand to cause intimate Contact between said strand and said drive wheels when forward tension is applied to said guide plate, said wheels having driving shafts operatively connected thereto, gears on said driving shaft, an idler gear in mesh with said gears, one of said driving shafts having a gear mounted on each end thereof, a pair of driven shafts operatively connected to said driving shaft and to said drum to cause the rotation thereof as the driving wheels are operated by the forward movement of the machine to cause the lashing wire carried by said drum to be wrapped around the strand and cable, means for preventing rearward movement of the machine when forward tension is released comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected to one or" said driving wheels and a dog member normally held in engagement with the teeth on said ratchet wheel, and means on said chassis operatively connected to said guide plate for disengaging said dog from said ratchet wheel when said guide plate is moved from its normal operating position.

8. A machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand which comprises a chassis having front and rear spaced apart housings, a guide plate having a roller thereon hingedly secured to said chassis for attaching a tow lineA thereto, a drum rotatably supported between said housings, said drum and said housings having aligned central bores for the reception of the cable and the supporting strand, said housings and said drums. having openings therein communicating with said bores to permit the machine to be placed in operative position on the supporting strand, a pair of preformed coils of lashing wire carried in oppositely disposed compartments on said drum, a pair of driving wheels each mounted on an axis, in the front housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for engaging the same side of the supprtingstrandan armhaving a roller mount# atentos ed thereon pivotally supported :on the vopposite side thereof, lbetween said wheels, ymeans operatively .associated with said arm, roller guide plate, for forcing said farm androller Fupwardly against said strand 'to cause intimate con-- tact between said strand vand said A,dr-ive wheels when forward tension is applied Vto said guide plate, Vdriving .gears operatively lconnectel'l to said Wheels, driven shafts having :gears lthereon engagement with said driving gears, gears von said driven shafts in engagement vwith the .gear on said drum to cause the rotation thereof as the driving wheels are operated by the lforward movement of the machine to .cause the las-hing wire carried by said drum to 'be Wrapped Varourntl the strand and cable, means for Ypreventing rear- Wardmoveinent of the machine, when forward tension is released, comprising :a Aratchet wheel operatively .connected to one of said fdrving Wheels and a dog member normally held in engagement With the teeth on said ratchet Wheel, and means of said chassis operatively .connected to said guide plate for disengaging said `dog from said ratchet wheel when `said guide plate is moved from its normal operating position.

9. A machine `ier securing a ,cable to asupporting strand which comprises a chassis front and rear spaced apart housings, a .guide plate hingedly secured to said chassis -for .a taching a tow infie thereto, a Adrum rotatabl;x supported hetween said housings'sai'd drnni and said housings having aligned central bores for the reception of the cable .the :supporting strand, said housings and said drum having openings therein communicating with said bores lto permit the'machine to 'be placed in operative position on the sporting strand, preformed coils of lashing wire carried by said drum on opposite thereof, pair of driving wheels, each mounted on an axis in the front housing one of the other in space relation kfor engaging the v.nie side of the supporting strand, an arrn pivot I mounted on the opposite side-thereof, between said wheels, means operatively associated with i arm and guide plate for forcing said arm up'` intimate cont t between strand and drive iv" eels when forward tension is applied to'said g4 e plate, said wheels having driving shaits operatively connected thereto, gears on said driv ing shafts, an idler gear in mesh with said gears, one of drh/nig shafts having gears mounted on each end thereof, a. pair of .driven shaftsoperativeiy connected to said driving shaft and to said drum to cause the rotation `thereof as 'the driving wheels are operated by the 'forward move'- nent of the machine to cause the lashing wire, carried by f' d drum, to be wrapped around the str and c ole, means for preventing rear ward movement of the machine, when'forward tension is released, comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected to one of said driving xvlieels, a lever arm pivotaiiy mounted adjacent said rat het wheel, and having a proj ectingtooth thereon, means for holding said tooth in enwith said ratchet wheel, second lever arm operatively connected to saidfirst arm and to said plate for disengaging said tooth ratchet wheel when said .guide plate is moved from its normal operating position.

1G. A mach e for securing acable to a supporting strano which comprises-a chassis having front and rear apart housings, a guide plate having a roller thereon hingedly secure-d to said chassis for attaching a tow line thereto, a

drum `rotatably 'supported between said housings, said vdrum and said housings having aligned central oores for the reception yof the ycable and the supporting strand, said housings and said drums having openings therein communicating with said lbores to Vpermit the machine to be placed in operative positionon the supporting strand, a pair of preformed coils oi lashing wire carried in oppositely disposed compartments on said drum, a pair of rdriving wheels each mounted on an -a-xis, in the front housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for engaging the sa .ce side of the supporting strand, an arm, having a roller mounted thereon, .pivotally supported `on the opposite side thereof, between 'said means lopera.hfely associated with said arm, roller Iand guide plate, for forcing said arrn and roiler upwardly aga-inst said strand to cause intimate contact between said strand 4and said drive Wheels when forward tension is applied to said guide driving gears operatively connected to said wheels, driven shafts having gears there on in engagement with said driving gears, lgears on Isaid lchiven shafts in engagement with the gear on said drum to-.cause the rotation thereof as the .driving wheels are operated by the forward movement of the machine to cause the lashing wire carried by said drum to be Wrapped around the strand and cable, means for preventing rearu ward movement of the machine, when forward tension is released, comprising a ratchet wheel operatively connected to one of sai-d driving wheels, a lever arm .pivotally mounted adjacent said ratchet wheel, and having a projecting tooth thereon, means for holding .said tooth in engagement with said ratchet wheel, a second lever arm operatively connected to said first arm and to said guide plate for disengaging said tooth from said ratchet wheel when saidguide plate is moved from its normal operating position.

ll. A machine for securing a cable to a supporting strand which comprises a chassis having front .and rear spaced apart housings,V a guide plate hingedly secured to said chassis for atM taching a tow line thereto, a drurn rotatably sup ported between said housings, said and said housings having aligned central hores lfor the reception of the cable and the supporting strand, said housings and said drums having openin'rs therein communicating with .said bores to permit the machine to be placed in operative position on the supporting strand, a pair of preformed coils of lashing wire carried by said drum, on opposite sides thereof, a pair of drive wheels each mounted on an axis, in the front housing one ahead of the other and in space relation for engaging the same side of the supporting strand and an `arm pivotally mounted on the opposite side thereof, between said Wheels, means operatively associated lwith said Yarm and said guide plate for forcing said arm upwardly against said strand to cause intimate contact between said strand and said drive wheels when forward tension is applied to said guide plate, said wheels having driving shaits operativeiy connected thereto, gears on said driving shafts, an idler gear in mesh with said gears, one of said driving shafts having a gear mounted on each end thereof, a pair of driven shafts operatively connected to said driving shaft and to said drum to cause the rotation thereof as the driving Wheels are operated by the forward movement of the machine rto cause the lashing wire carried by said drum to be wrapped around the strand'and cable, means for preventing rearwardlmovement .of the machine when 

